"Your News" saves a cat's life

STUART - About a year ago, my wife Maryellen wrote an article about a foster cat that needed adoption. We had rescued the cat from an undesirable living situation, and while nursing her back to health, she developed serious eye ulceration. The article pointed out how Dr. Apilado at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast performed a near-miracle in healing the cat, who we named Melanie, and how she was now ready for adoption through HSTC.

Right after the article was published in Your News, we received a single phone call from Mrs. Kathleen Kelly, who had seen the article and fell in love with Melanie. We met her and her husband, Tom, at the shelter. Tom was ill with cancer and Kathleen is confined to a wheelchair, so the idea of adopting Melanie was a comfort to both of them. Kathleen was speechless when Melanie immediately climbed into her lap and began purring. It was a very emotional event for all of us, and we knew Melanie had found her "forever" home.

We have kept in touch with Kathleen, and last December we received this picture of a contented Melanie at home, and a very kind letter from Kathleen. In it she expressed how Melanie was "so spoiled" and how much she loved her.

"She is the best thing I have ever had," she wrote. "She keeps me going and is good company."

In a recent conversation, Kathleen told us that Tom lost his battle with cancer, but that Melanie had brought him so much joy, and is now her constant companion. Needless to say, we were ecstatic that the adoption had worked out so well.

Anyone who doubts the power of the press only needs to consider what happened here. We owe many thanks to the Stuart News and the special Your News section for facilitating an amazing story that changed the lives of two wonderful people and a very special cat.